Weddings « Jen Kroll Photography

Archive for the ‘Weddings’ Category

Lindsay + Diego (newlyweds)

I’m way behind on blogging so bear with me as I fight to keep up! The second wedding of Labor Day weekend was spent celebrating Lindsay and Diego and their precious families! Hidden in a quaint, old Methodist camp in Ludington on Lake Michigan (now a private residential neighborhood), we were blessed to experience this little bit of paradise. The weather was positively perfect, save the monsoon that immediately followed the ceremony! With Lindsay’s family scattered around the globe and Diego’s family hailing from Chile, having everyone in one room was certainly great cause to savor every second of the day. That always makes the photos wonderful

Lindsay and Diego… we had an absolutely wonderful time. It was our great pleasure to meet and get to know you both… your hearts are gold. Special thanks go to Alicia Caldecott and her team at A Day In May Events for yet another spectacular event! And finally, thanks to Ryan Prins for providing an alternate angle!

001

002

Lindsay's mother's pearls -- her dad used these to propose to her mom. Love that.

004

005

006

007

008

Ryan's angle at the same time I shot the portrait above. Not sure which one I like more! I'll take both.

010

011

012

013

Oh yes.. breaking out the cute factor. She makes me weak.

015

016

017

018

019

020

021

022

023

024

025

026

027

028

029

030

031

032

033

034

035

036

037

038

039

040

041

This beast moved in no more than 10 minutes after the ceremony ended.

043

044

045

046

047

048

049

050

051

052

053

054

055

056

057

058

059

This series of Photo Booth pics represent how fabulous Lindsay’s grandmother is!

060

061

062

063

064

065

066

067

068

069

070

071

Make a Comment Send to a Friend Post on Facebook

Anna + Joe (newlyweds)

Tags: Grand Traverse Resort, Traverse City Wedding Photographer
Posted in Weddings : September 21st, 2011

The first of two weddings on Labor Day weekend was in Traverse City at the Grand Traverse Resort. With the exception of the yellow tent (photographers everywhere want them to take it down and put up a white one!), it’s really a lovely venue with a great staff and menu. Actually some of the best food I’ve had all year! As far as Anna and Joe are concerned… well, they’re alright. ;) I first met them last year when we did their engagement session and we had to race against the impending storm that literally caused their hair to stand on end while on the dock… probably a bad sign.

0057

The storm finally caught us… we got wet. They were troopers

0095

Fortunately, their wedding day was much brighter! The rain died out before the ceremony and while the heat remained, it couldn’t put a damper on the festivities thanks to A Day In May!

Additional thanks go to Matt Pratt who made the trip up to second shoot with me! Also, thanks to John Pottenger and crew with Coastline Studios… love you guys!! Never a dull moment!

Grand Traverse Resort001

Grand Traverse Resort002

Grand Traverse Resort003

So gorgeous. We were kind of in a crunch for time before the ceremony so I only had time to take Anna out on the balcony… I’m quite happy with the result.

Grand Traverse Resort004

Grand Traverse Resort005

Grand Traverse Resort006

Jack was a groomsman! He loved watching him mom and dad get married!

Grand Traverse Resort007

Grand Traverse Resort008

Grand Traverse Resort009

Grand Traverse Resort010

Grand Traverse Resort011

Grand Traverse Resort012

A few bonus sneak peak photos… the details were just breathtaking. What the guests didn’t know was that on the other side of the cake wall, a night club was waiting in silence for them to party the night away…sheer brilliance.

Grand Traverse Resort013

Grand Traverse Resort014

Grand Traverse Resort015

Grand Traverse Resort016

Also sheer brilliance… the kids place settings.

Grand Traverse Resort017

Grand Traverse Resort018

The other side of the room!

Grand Traverse Resort019

Grand Traverse Resort020

Grand Traverse Resort021

Well done Joe

Grand Traverse Resort022

Can’t forget the best photo booth concept yet! Marie Antoinette!

Grand Traverse Resort023

Grand Traverse Resort024

Make a Comment Send to a Friend Post on Facebook

Shannon + Chris (newlyweds)

Tags: Traverse City Opera House, Traverse City Wedding Photography
Posted in Weddings : September 7th, 2011

To be 100% honest, I’ve procrastinated in writing this post. With the craziness of back to school shopping and back to back weddings over Labor Day weekend, I wanted to wait for a quieter moment to reflect on Shannon and Chris’ wedding which took place just over a week ago. When I told them that there was no other place on the planet I’d rather be, it was the truth. For the backstory, first reference Shannon’s sister’s wedding post and then the post I wrote two months later.

In wisdom, Solomon wrote, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven … A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance… He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1,4, & 11 (NAS)

I think Solomon knew that occasionally those extremes would collide and that life in it’s chaos and simultaneously, in it’s beauty, just doesn’t make sense. Weeping followed by laughter. Mourning followed by dancing. One holds the hand of the other in relentless intensity. Documenting THAT kind of story taps into the deepest part of me and demands nothing less than the utmost tenderness and care. It also requires me to shoot through my own suffocating sorrow and overwhelming joy, knowing that in telling their story, I am telling my own. That somehow being reminded that wholeness exists in the middle of brokenness, God heals a small piece of me too.

Shannon and Chris’ wedding day was perfect.

*Special thanks to Melissa Jordan who drove up from Indiana to second shoot Shannon and Chris’ Traverse City wedding! And a very special thank you goes to my dear friend, Alicia Caldecott of A Day In May… there are no words to express the magnitude of your heart and your care. I’m humbled to be broken and complete alongside you.

Traverse City Opera House001

Traverse City Opera House002

Shannon’s Uncle had the honor of walking her down the aisle.

Traverse City Opera House003

Traverse City Opera House004

Traverse City Opera House005

Traverse City Opera House006

Sorry, Chris. You’re related to him now. ;)

Traverse City Opera House007

Traverse City Opera House008

Traverse City Opera House009

Traverse City Opera House010

A quick stop on an aunt’s boat. Love Traverse City.

Traverse City Opera House011

First look at the Opera House

Traverse City Opera House012

I have a new love for baby’s breath.

Traverse City Opera House013

Traverse City Opera House014

Traverse City Opera House015

Traverse City Opera House016

Traverse City Opera House017

Traverse City Opera House018

Traverse City Opera House019

Thanks for that flash Jessy… always trying to steal the show

Traverse City Opera House020

Traverse City Opera House021

Jerry Ross Band was also perfect.

JEN_5393

Make a Comment Send to a Friend Post on Facebook

Lindsey + Pat (newlyweds)

Tags: Amway Grand Hotel, Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer
Posted in Weddings : August 25th, 2011

Last weekend’s wedding took place in Grand Rapids! I only spent 15 minutes in the car getting to the salon and was back in my own bed by midnight. It almost felt like cheating. I need more Grand Rapids weddings next year. ;)

Meeting Lindsey and her mother, Diane, months ago, I knew this day would be special. They are truly precious women for whom I have the utmost respect and admiration. This was my first experience with a Christian Orthodox ceremony and it definitely left it’s mark. One interesting thing to note — there are no spoken vows in the ceremony as the whole ceremony is considered a vow. I love that. The sanctuary is also unbelievable. Jenn at Modern Day Floral did a superb job with the design and orchestration of the details, including making the Ambassador Ballroom at Amway Grand Hotel sparkle!

Lindsey and Pat, thank you for your kindness and your hospitality! I sure hope the hurricane didn’t disrupt your honeymoon too much!

*special thanks to Ryan Prins for being my second photographer!*

First up — a few details… This Kenneth Pool gown caught the light unlike any other dress I’ve ever seen! So stunning.

Grand Rapids01